Ecosystem Services. Global Issues, Local Practices

411 Pages·2014·12.217 MB·English

by  Sander Jacobs, Nicolas Dendoncker and Hans Keune (Eds.)

Ecosystem Services
Global Issues, Local Practices
Edited by
Sander Jacobs
Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO);
University of Antwerp. Department of Biology,
Ecosystem Management Research Group (ECOBE)
Nicolas Dendoncker
Department of Geography, University of Namur (UNamur).
Namur Research Centre on Sustainable Development (NAGRIDD).
Namur Centre for Complex Systems (naXys)
Hans Keune
Belgian Biodiversity Platform;
Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO);
Faculty of Applied Economics – University of Antwerp;
naXys, Namur Center for Complex Systems – University of Namur
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Foreword
Ecosystem services and their largely invisible values, so vital to recognize for
sustainability, have at last begun to percolate into policies. The Economics of
Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) reports have added much-needed awareness
and societal debate about how much our well-being, economy, and even survival
depend on biodiversity and ecosystems. At a local level, better informed practices
are being implemented in a variety of socioeconomic and ecological contexts,
while, internationally, institutions such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy
Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) have emerged.
However, our world is still rapidly approaching and even crossing planetary
boundaries, including climate, biodiversity, nitrogen and phosphorous concen-
trations, ocean acidification and freshwater scarcity. Economies worldwide
are still headed in the wrong direction, leading to resource exhaustion, social
disparities, and persistent poverty. Increasing climate disruptions may cause
price volatility and loss of arable land, and the poor will suffer the most from
these disruptions. Urgent changes are needed to effect sustainable resource use.
This book originated from a lively community of practice on ecosystem ser-
vices in a highly urbanized European region, representative for many developed
countries. Practitioners, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), policy makers
at different levels, and scientists from many disciplines have united to imple-
ment ecosystem service approaches. This book—a product of this community
of practice—is a “proof of concept” of a transdisciplinary approach involving
a broad range of stakeholders to improve and link up knowledge and practice
internationally.
From their experiences, a strong and clear plea emerges to reorient eco-
system service research and practice, bringing it back to its “sustainability”
roots: to account for boundaries and fairness more than with just lip service or
introductory texts; to document, communicate, and cope with uncertainties; to
adopt an inclusive and transparent approach; and to evaluate the real impacts of
various measures and instruments on materials flows.
The debates presented here are fundamentally important and have repercus-
sions for any ecosystem service research or practice. As we need immediate
changes if we want to steer clear of planetary boundaries and avoid large natural
disasters, we have to share experiences, knowledge, and debates widely, within
and across communities of practice, locally and globally.
The editors rightly argue that ecosystem service research and practice
should urgently aim at a more limited and fairer resource use supported by
xiii
xiv Foreword
transdisciplinary approaches and with real-life results. Their diverse contribu-
tions offer many practical lessons and tools to address the many challenges
across a broad range of issues in assessing and managing ecosystem services.
In short, this book is a “must-read” for academicians conducting interdisci-
plinary ecosystem service research, practitioners and policy makers aiming to
incorporate ecosystem services into their work, and students from the natural
and social sciences. If ecosystem service practice is to live up to high expecta-
tions as well as urgent requirements to deliver sustainable resource use, the
principles put forward in this book will have to be fully embraced.
Pavan Sukhdev
Pavan was Special Adviser and Head of UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative, and lead author of
their report “Towards a Green Economy.” He was also appointed Study Leader for the G8+5
commissioned project on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB).
Contributors
Alain Peeters RHEA Research Centre rue Warichet, Natural Resources, Human
Environment and Agronomy (RHEA)
Anik Schneiders Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
Anil Markandya University of Bath, Department of Economics and International
Development, United Kingdom and Scientific Director of Basque Center of
Climate Change
Anne Teller DG Environment, European Commission
Anne-hélène Prieur-Richard DIVERSITAS, Reviewed by Francis Turkelboom
(INBO); Belgian Biodiversity Platform; Research Institute for Nature and Forest
(INBO); Faculty of Applied Economics – University of Antwerp; naXys, Namur
Center for Complex Systems – University of Namur
Birgen Haest The Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO)
Cédric Chevalier Political advisor, Cabinet of the Walloon and the Wallonia-
Brussels Federation Minister of Sustainable Development and Research
Conor Kretsch COHAB
Corentin Fontaine University of Namur (UNamur)
Dirk Van Gijseghem Flemish Ministry of Agriculture, Division for Agricultural
Policy Analysis
Dirk Vrebos University of Antwerp, Ecosystem Management Research Group
(ECOBE)
Dries Landuyt University of Ghent, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology
and Aquatic Ecology-AECO; Flemish Institute for Technological Research
(VITO)
Erik Gómez-Baggethun Institute of Environmental Science and Technology,
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Social-Ecological Systems Laboratory,
Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Ferdinando Villa Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3); IKERBASQUE,
Basque Foundation for Science
Francis Turkelboom Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
Frederic Ghys Sustainability analyst
Frédéric Huybrechs Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB),
University of Antwerp
xv
xvi Contributors
Gert Van Hecken Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB),
University of Antwerp
Glenn Deliège KU Leuven, Husserl-Archives, International Centre for
Phenomenological Research
Guy Duke Environment Bank Ltd
Hans Keune Belgian Biodiversity Platform; Research Institute for Nature and Forest
(INBO); Faculty of Applied Economics – University of Antwerp; naXys, Namur
Center for Complex Systems – University of Namur
Heidi Wittmer Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ Division of
Social Sciences, Department of Environmental Politics
Hilde Heyrman VLM
Ilse Simoens Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
Inge Liekens Flemish Research and Technology Organisation (VITO)
Jan Staes University of Antwerp, Ecosystem Management Research Group
(ECOBE)
Jan Verboven Vlaamse Landmaatschappij regio West
Jeroen A.E. Panis Agency for Nature and Forests, Government of Flanders
Jim Casaer Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
Joachim H. Spangenberg Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ,
Department Community Ecology
Johan Bastiaensen Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB),
University of Antwerp
John Gowdy Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
Joris Aertsens Flemish Research and Technology Organisation (VITO)
Jos Brils Senior adviser with Deltares in the area of sustainable management of
natural resources; Co-Coordinator of the Dutch Community of Practice (CoP) on
Ecosystem Services
Katrien Van der Biest University of Antwerp, Ecosystem Management Research
Group (ECOBE)
Kelly Hertenweg DG Environment of Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain
Safety and Environment
Kris Struyf Zwin Nature Centre, KUDDKE-HEIST
Kris Verheyen Forest and Nature Lab, Ghent University
Layla Saad Faun and Biotopes asbl
Leander Raes UG
Leen Franchois Research Department, Boerenbond
Leen Gorissen Unit Transition Energy and Environment, The Flemish Institute for
Technological Research (VITO)
Contributors xvii
Leo De Nocker Flemish Research and Technology Organisation (VITO)
Leo Declercq Zwin Nature Centre, KUDDKE-HEIST
Leon C. Braat Alterra, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen
Lieve Janssens Province of Antwerp, Department of Environment, Nature &
Landscape Team
Linda Meiresonne Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
Lucette Flandroy DG Environment of Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain
Safety and Environment
Maarten Stevens Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
Machteld Gryseels Brussels Environment, Direction Quality of the Environment and
Nature Management Gulledelle
Marc Dufrêne ULG-GxABT
Marije Schaafsma University of East Anglia, Centre for Social and Economic Research
on the Global Environment, England, United Kingdom
Marijke Thoonen Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
Martin Hermy KULeuven
Martin Sharman Independent expert, Avenue des Orangers
Nathalie Pipart Université Libre de Bruxelles, Institut de Gestion de
l’Environnement et d’Aménagement du Territoire, Centre d’Etudes du
Développement Durable
Nele Smeets Flemish Research and Technology Organisation (VITO)
Nicolas Dendoncker Department of Geography, University of Namur (UNamur).
Namur Research Centre on Sustainable Development (NAGRIDD). Namur Centre
for Complex Systems (naXys)
Olivier Beauchard University of Antwerp, Ecosystem Management Research Group
(ECOBE)
Patrick Meire University of Antwerp, Ecosystem Management Research Group
(ECOBE)
Paula Ulenaers Vlaamse Landmaatschappij regio West
Perrine Raquez University of Namur (UNamur)
Peter Goethals University of Ghent, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and
Aquatic Ecology-AECO
Philippe C. Baveye Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
Pieter Vangansbeke Unit Transition Energy and Environment, The Flemish
Institute for Technological Research (VITO); Forest and Nature Lab, Ghent
University
Pim Martens ICIS, Maastricht University
Rik De Vreese VUB
xviii Contributors
Rob D’Hondt University of Ghent, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and
Aquatic Ecology-AECO
Sabine Wallens DG Environment of Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain
Safety and Environment
Sander Jacobs Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO); University of
Antwerp. Department of Biology, Ecosystem Management Research Group
(ECOBE)
Sarah Cornell Stockholm Resilience Centre
Saskia Van Gaever DG Environment of Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain
Safety and Environment
Simon W. Moolenaar Programme Manager SKB, Chair of the SNOWMAN
Network, Strategic consultant Environment & Sustainability at Royal Haskoning
DHV
Steven Broekx Flemish Research and Technology Organisation (VITO)
Sylvie Danckaert Flemish Ministry of Agriculture, Division for Agricultural Policy
Analysis
Tanya Cerulus Environment, Nature and Energy Department, Environmental, Nature
and Energy Policy Division, Government of Flanders
Tom Bauler Université Libre de Bruxelles, Institut de Gestion de l’Environnement
et d’Aménagement du Territoire, Centre d’Etudes du Développement Durable
Tom de Bie KU Leuven, Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and
Conservation; Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), Catchment office Dijle-
Zenne catchment
Wim Van Gils Policy Director, Natuurpunt
Wouter Van Reeth Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
Editorial
Editorial for Ecosystem
Services—Global Issues, Local
Practices
No Root, No Fruit—Sustainability and Ecosystem
Services
Sander Jacobs1,2, Nicolas Dendoncker3, and Hans Keune4,5,6,7
1Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), 2University of Antwerp. Department of Biology,
Ecosystem Management Research Group (ECOBE), 3Department of Geography, University of
Namur (UNamur). Namur Research Centre on Sustainable Development (NAGRIDD). Namur
Centre for Complex Systems (naXys), 4Belgian Biodiversity Platform, 5Research Institute for
Nature and Forest (INBO), 6Faculty of Applied Economics – University of Antwerp, 7naXys,
Namur Center for Complex Systems – University of Namur
The human species survives and prospers within well-defined planetary condi-
tions. The concept of planetary boundaries [1] delimits this safe operating space
with respect to the functioning of the Earth System. Since the 20th century, the
Earth has entered a new epoch, the Anthropocene, where humankind constitutes
the dominant driver of change to the Earth System as a global geological force
in its own right [2], shifting the conditions beyond its own safe operating space
([3]; see also Chapter7).
Among several planetary boundaries being crossed today [1], ever-accel-
erating biodiversity loss is particularly serious, given the vital importance of
biodiversity for sustaining ecosystem functioning and preventing ecosystems
from shifting into undesired states [4]. Biodiversity is essential for the Earth’s
functioning and our basic survival and well-being, which is not entirely corre-
lated to consumption or monetary income [5], but relates to nature, social rela-
tionships, knowledge, and politics [6]. The societal implications of biodiversity
loss were pointed out in the millennium ecosystem assessment, noting a 60%
loss of ecosystem services in the last four decades of the 20th century alone
[7, 8]. Globally, it is the poor who are facing the earliest and most severe impacts
of this loss, but ultimately all societies and communities will suffer [9].
xix
xx Editorial
Sustainable development, defined as development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs, by extending to all the opportunity to fulfill their aspirations for
a better life [10], is the ultimate strategy to reverse this drift to human self-
extinction (see also [11, 12]). The research field and concept of biodiversity,
natural capital, and ecosystem services (ES) are indeed rooted in sustainability
thinking (e.g., [13, 14, 15, 16, 17]). The explicit link between sustainability and
ES assessments [18] stresses the importance of all three values of ES: ecological
sustainability, social fairness, and economic efficiency. Conclusively, the final
goal of ES valuation is to achieve a more sustainable resource use, contributing
to the well-being of every individual, now and in the future [8] by providing an
equitable, adequate, and reliable flow of essential ecosystem services to meet
the needs of a burgeoning world population [19].
Until now, there has been a reluctance to fully embrace the message that
by ignoring the dependence on our natural capital we are literally living at the
expense of the poor and the future generations [20]. Still, the ecosystem service
(ES) concept could be an effective lever to contribute to sustainable development
with more than just lip service (Chapter10). The ES concept has been picked
up widely, percolated in many policy documents, and is being implemented in
a variety of contexts. As the time left to effectively tackle sustainability chal-
lenges is running out, urgent refocusing of ES research and more importantly
practice on its strong sustainability roots is essential. This conclusion directly
arises from the methodological and conceptual challenges for ecosystem ser-
vice valuations in this volume, echoes in many reflections from practice, and
mirrors current scientific opinions on the topic (e.g., [19, 21, 22, 23] and others
mentioned in this editorial).
There are no silver bullet solutions to be found in this volume. This is not
surprising, as literature shows that “one size fits all” solutions are to be avoided
[20] and complex problems will require diverse solutions [24]. Reading this vol-
ume will probably raise more questions, as awareness grows on the multitude of
informed choices to be made on ever morecomplex matters. Once one is aware
of this complexity, there seems to be no way back to easy solutions comfortably
embedded within a single research or policy field. However, some key issues
repeatedly and consistently surface throughout the variety of contributions, and
they provide the focus and common ground for continued but innovative eco-
system service research and practice. Notwithstanding the diversity of insights
found throughout this book, the key issues represent shared concerns among
scientists, policy makers, and practitioners, and provide a frame of reference for
practical implementation.
1. LIMITS
Limits (with related terms such as boundaries, resilience, carrying capacity,
tipping points, and thresholds) refer to the ecological sustainability value of